Urn Inscription: Ideas and Standard Formats

You've chosen the perfect cremation urn for your loved one, and you know that you would like it laser engraved with a personalized inscription including the name and dates of birth and death. But now it is time to decide exactly what to have inscribed, you wonder: what format should we use? Should it be just the name, or should the urn say "In Loving Memory" first? What about the dates? Just numbers, or should the months be spelled out? Should there be a memorial quote or epitaph? What one short phrase could possibly sum up a person's life?

Ultimately, these decisions come down to the personal preferences of the family. But if you would like some guidance on the standard formats commonly used for urn inscriptions, or ideas for meaningful quotes, poems, and Bible verses, here is our guide to cremation urn inscriptions.

Inscription Formats

Standard urn inscription format

In Loving MemoryJohn DoeJanuary 1, 1943 – December 31, 1999

Other first lines

In Loving Memory Of

In Memorium

In Remembrance

In Fondest Memory Of

In Treasured Memory Of

In Honored Memory Of

In Cherished Memory Of

Happy Memories Of

Other epitaph date formats

1/1/43 – 12/31/99

1/1/1943 – 12/31/1999

Jan. 1, 1943 – Dec. 31, 1999

1943 – 1999

Additional lines format

Often a short epitaph, 2-15 words in length, will be engraved below the dates. See below for list of short epitaphs. The format would then look like this:

Urn Inscription Epitaph Quotes

Bible verses for epitaph

Choosing a select few word to represent and memorialize the life of a loved one is a daunting task. When putting an inscription on an urn, or an epitaph on a headstone, the important features to look for in a quote are significance, brevity, and relevance.

If you would like to honor the faith of a loved one by inscribing a Scripture verse on the urn or headstone, the significance of the quotation is already inherent. After all, the Bible is the Word of God, and what could be more significant than the very breath of God?

As for brevity, below we have gathered a selection of brief and fitting Scripture verses for an epitaph. These verses are listed in the English Standard Version of the Bible. These Bible verses will fit on most cremation urns and memorial headstones in a readable font size. If the verse sounds familiar but not quite the way you remember it, it may be that you have heard the verse before in the King James Version or some other translation.

The last feature that should be considered for a epitaph inscription is relevance to the individual’s life and faith. Only you and those closest to the deceased can determine this, so peruse these Scriptures with an eye toward the verse’s relevance to your loved one.

Scriptures are listed below in the order that they appear in the Bible.

Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.- Revelation 2:10

Poems for epitaph

Poetry has long served as a means for expressing thoughts and emotions concerning life, death, love, and loss. A quote from a poem can be perfectly suited for honoring your loved one's life, while at the same time expressing your sorrow in their passing.

For inscriptions on headstones, tombstones, or cremation urns, keep in mind the surface area available when choosing or composing the epitaph, as space is usually limited. Sometimes just the first line can be engraved, or, with some of our urns, an inscription with name and dates can go on the front and a longer poem can be etched on the top or back.

Below are many favorite short epitaph poems for use as an inscription on an urn or a headstone.

Short epitaph poems

You are not forgotten, loved oneNor will you ever beAs long as life and memory lastWe will remember thee

Memory is a lovely lane,Where hearts are ever true,A lane I so often travel down,Because it leads to you.

His charming ways and smiling face,Are a pleasure to recall,He had a kindly word for each,And died beloved by all.

A silent thought, a secret tear,Keeps his memory ever dear.Time eases the edge of grief,Memory turns back every leaf.

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heartNaught be all else to me, save that Thou artThou my best thought, by day or by nightWaking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening onWhen we shall be forever with the Lord.When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.Be still, my soul: when change and tears are pastAll safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Though absent you are very nearStill loved, still missed, and very dear

There is a link death cannot sever,Love and remembrance last forever

Remembered always with love sincereMemories keep him ever near

You still live on in the hearts and mindsOf the loving family you left behind